Fountain pen



Aug. 5, 1952 D. KAHN ETAL 2,605,746

FOUNTAIN PEN Fil'gd Dec. 1.2. -1947 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 pression spring Patented Aug. 5, 1952 UNITED STATE FoUNrAIN PEN David Kahn, Englewood,

Cresskill, N. J., assignors North Bergen, N. J.,

.I ers ey and Karl Weisser, to David Kahn, Inc.,

a corporation of New Application December 12, 1947, Serial No. '791,224 5 Claims. (C1. 1Z0-42.03)

This invention relates to writing Vinstruments and has special reference to a ball point pen.

One important object of the invention is to provide a pen having an improvedy means for housing and protecting the pen point.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel means for protracting and retracting the writing point of a pen of this character.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel means for holding the writing point of such a pen in protracted position.

Y Still another object or" the invention is to provide such a holding means movable between holding and releasable positions by a simple tilting of the pen.

With the above and other objects in view, rthe invention consists in general of certain novel details oi construction and combinations i parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and particularly claimed.

In the accompanying drawings like characters of reference indicate like `parts inA the several views, and:

Fig. 1 is an axial section through one form of the pen showing the writing point in protracted position;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 with the pen tilted, and showing the action of the means for locking the writing pointin protracted position;

Fig. 3 is an axial section at right angles to Fig. 1 but showing the writing point in retracted position; l

Fig. 4 is a sectional view similar to the upper part of Fig. 3 but showing a modification of the structure;

Fig. 5 is a section on Fig. 6 is a section on and l Fig. 'lis a detailed perspectivevof a locking pawl used herewith. Y

In carrying out the objects of this invention there is provided a barrel I0 as shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3 of plastic material or a metal barrel I I as in Fig. 4. In the barrel is fitted a cartridge which includes a sleeve |221. An upper sleeve I2b'is provided abutting sleeve I2a at 12e, said sleeve I2@ carrying at its lower end a reduced tubular portion I3 provided with awritingpoint or ball I4. The end I3 is abruptly reduced and the line 5-v-5 of Fig. 3;

the line 6-6 ofFig. 3;

this abrupt reduction forms a shoulder l5. 'IheV lower part of the barrel is reduced to form a shoulder It and between the shoulders I5 and I6 the portion I3 is surrounded by a coiled com- I'I which urges the sleeve upwardly in the barrel.

The lower sleeve Ia of the cartridge I2 contains a collapsible sac or capsule I3 containing ink, this capsule being open at its bottom end to allow flow of ink to the extension I3 and thus to the open point Ill. Also in the sleeve I2a is a spring IQ. of the leaf type which presses against the side of the sac and urges the ink downwardly therefrom, the top of the sac being closed.

In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 2 and 3 it will be seen that the sleeve portion |23 is enclosed throughout its length bythe barrel I6. In this form there is screwed into the V'upgper1 end of the barrel III a metal bushing 20 of the same internal diameter as the barrel I0 and the upper sleeve I2b is encased in this bushing and in a plastic cap 23.

In the form of invention shown in Fig. 4 where a metal barrel is used, there is provided a metal connector 2l which may be secured to the barrel II by crimping or spinning or by similar operations as indicated at Zia. The connector 2I has threaded engagement with the bushing 22 similar to the bushing 23 shown in Figs. 1, 2, and.

In each form there is fitted over the upper end of the sleeve portion lib the plastic cap 23 having a threadedopening at its yupper end to receive a push button 24 s0 that the sleeve |21 and the cartridge may be forced downwardly against the resistance of the spring II. The sleeve portion IZb is provided with opposed longitudinally extending slots 25 wherethrough eX-f tends a pin 25, said pin being-fixed at-its ends in the member 2E! when the barrel is made of plastic, and fixed in the member 22 when the barrel is made of a metal or metal alloy. In

' each form of construction the sleeve portion |21,

isiprovided with an inwardly extending rib 2T preferably annular in form.

On the pin 26 is mounted a pawl 28 preferably formed from a piece of sheet metal and having its upper ends cut and bent to form opposed segmentally-spaced portions 29 which t loosely within the sleeve portion I2b but limit the transverse stroke of the pawl on the pin. 'Ihese segmentally shaped lugs 29 forni means for limiting the transverse movement of the pawl on its supporting pin. In other words, the lugs 29 serve to prevent the pawl 28 from traveling longitudinally along the pin so that the pawlwill remain centered on the pin. If the'fpawl were permitted to move in either direction on its sup'- porting pin to the wall of the sleeve I2b, the pawl would becomeengaged with the latching rib 2l. For example, if the pawl 23 were not provided with the lugs 29 or equivalent means it would be possible when the pin was transferred from a tilted position to a vertical position for the pawl 28 to be latched against the latching rib 21, and then if pressure were applied by the nger or equivalent means to the push button 24 the pawl would not be in a released position and the spring I1 could not move the cartridge I2 and the ball point in a retracted position. The lower end of the pawl is tapered to a square end and swings freely so as to engage over the upper surface of the rib 21.

As will be seen when the pen is held in a vertical position, pawl 28 will hang vertically from the pin 26 and the spring I1 will keep the cartridge and the ball point retracted. When the ball point I4 is projected by holding barrel IIJ tightly in the hand of the operator and pushing downwardly on the button 24 and the pen tilted to approximately the position shown 1n Fig. 2, the pawl 28 will retain its vertical position and engage the upper surface of the rib 21 and thereby latch or hold the writing point in a protracted position for writing.

While the writing point of the pen is shown protracted in Fig. l, when the pen is in a vertical position and then tilted as shown in Fig. 2 to lock the writing point in its protracted position, it will be understood that the ball point may be protracted while the pen is held in a tilted position at which time the pawl 28 will immediately lock the ball point in its protracted position as soon as the pawl is able to engage over the upper surface of the rib 21. It will thus be clear that the ball point may be protracted when the pen is held either vertically or tilted. Referring to Fig. l, although the pawl 28 is not latched against the latching rib 21, the writing point is protracted. It is held in this protracted position by the finger pressure. However, if the finger is released, the writing point will be retracted to the position shown in Fig. 3. However, if, while the pen is held in the position shown in Fig. l with the finger pressure applied against the button 24, and then the pen is tilted, the pawl 28 latches on the latching rib 21 and the writing point I 4 is then locked in a protracted position. In normal neutral operation, the fountain4 pen as shown in Fig. 3 with the point retracted will be tilted to the position shown in Fig. 2, and then pressure will be applied against the button 24, the writing point will then be protracted and stay protracted because of the engagement of the pawl 2S with the latching rib 21. When it is desired to release the locking mechanism and retract the writing point I4, the pen is brought to a substantially vertical position and a slight pressure is applied to the button 24 whereupon the pawl 28 will disengage from the latching rib 21 whereupon, when pressure on the button 24 is released, the spring I1 will'retract the cartridge I2 and the writing point I4 to a position shown in Fig. 3. It is desired to point out that the lower end surface of the pawl 28 is at right angles to the major axis of the pawl to provide a flat surface so that said lower edge will firmly engage the upper surface of the rib 21. Then, there is no danger of the pawl 28 slipping from the retaining rib 21 and allowing the point to be retracted.

The length of the locking pawl 28 below the pivot point 28a is great enough for this portion of the pawl to overbalance the upper portion whereby the pawl will always hang in a substantially vertical position when it is disengaged from the rib 21. Stated diiferently, the mass of the upon tilting of the pawl. 30:

material below the pivot 288. is greater than the mass of the pawl material above the pivot point 28s.

Fitting over the plastic cap 23 and extending downwardly over the bushing 20 and a portion of the barrel I0 is a cover or sleeve 30 which is held in place by the push button 24 which also serves to hold in place the clip 3| as clearly shown in Fig. 3.

There is provided in accordance with the present invention a fountain pen provided with a writing point which may be protracted and retracted or repelled, said fountain pen comprising a barrel, a sleeve longitudinally slidable in the barrel, a writing member on the lower end of the sleeve, said writing member being retractable in and protractable from the barrel and means for holding the point in a protracted position. Stated differently, coacting means are provided on the sleeve and barrel for latching the writing point into a writing-point protracted position. The latching means is operative upon tilting of the pen to hold the writing point in a protracted position, and inoperative upon the barrel being held in a vertical position. The latching means comprises a pawl swingingly supported within the sleeve member, and a ratchetrib on the sleeve which is engageable by the pawl Spring means are provided urging the sleeve and the writing point into retracted or repelled position and manually operable means are provided to protract the writing point. A pin is provided at the upper portion of the sleeve, said pin extending through the sleeve from side to side of the barrel and the pawl is swingingly supported on the pin, said pawl having means to provide sliding movement within the sleeve longitudinally of said pin. More specifically, the pawl is provided with opposed iianges engageable against the sides of said sleeve wherebyto limit ltransverse movement of the pawl on the pin. It is to be noted that the pawl 28 is preferably formed from a `piece of sheet metal and, therefore, can be cheaply manufactured in quantity. The locking pawl centralizes on the pin principally due to its weight and thereby permits the balltip to be repelled.

As previously stated, the pawl has a larger mass of material below the point of support than above it so that the pawl will always hang in a vertical position when it is disengaged from the latching rib. This may also be accomplished by having the weight of the material below the pivot point 28e greater than theweight of that portion of the locking pawl above the pivot point. It is desired to point out that the pawl 28 is an unbalanced pa'wl and the unbalancing may be obtained by having the mass and/or weight of the pawl above the pivoting or rocking point 28a greater than the mass and/ or weight of the pawl portion below the pivoting point 28a. The unbalancing of the pawl insures that upon tilting of the barrel from the vertical, the pawl will automatically swing or rock on its pivot point and engage its latching means, as for example, the rib herein set forth.

There has been provided in a pen having a barrel and slidable means in the pen which carries the writing point, means for supplying ink to said writing point together with means for holding the writing point in a writing position,

that is, in a protracted position when the pen is tilted from the vertical position, said means being inoperative to, in itself, protract the pen writing point when the pen isv held in a vertical position. Of course, when pressure is applied as shown in Fig: 1, the writing point can be held in a protracted position but as soon as the hand is removed from the push button 24, the pen point is retracted and properly, this being due to the pawl being unlatched as shown in Fig. 1.

There is also provided a pen having slidable means carrying a writing point protractable from and retractable from the barrel together with means to supply writing medium tothe point. The pawl is swingingly supported within said slidable means. Means are provided extending transversely of the barrel for pivotally supporting the pawl which has a larger mass and/or weight below the pivot point than above it. Means are provided in said barrel engageable with said pawl which, upon tilting of the pen barrel, latch the pawl. There is also provided means normally urging the writing point in a protracted position when the pen is held in a vertical position and no pressure is applied to the push button.

What is claimed is:

1` In a pen, a barrel, a slidably mounted sleeve therein carrying a writing point and containing an ink sac, a spring within the barrel and biasing said sleeve upwardly, said sleeve having an internal shoulder therein adjacent the top of the barrel and oppositely disposed longitudinally extending slots above the shoulder, a pin extending diametrically of the barrel and through said slots, and a gravity biased pawl pivotally mounted on said pin and adapted to abut said internal shoulder on the opposite sides of said sleeve, said pawl having opposed quadrant shaped wings above the pivot pin adapted to cooperate with opposite sides of the opposed slots to center the pawl on the pin.

2. In a pen, a barrel, a slidably mounted sleeve carrying a writing point and containing an ink sac and having an extension projecting through the upper end of the barrel for manual engagement, a spring within the barrel and biasing said sleeve upwardly, said sleeve having an internal shoulder therein adjacent the top of the barrel and oppositely disposed longitudinally extending slots above the shoulder, a pin extending diametrically of the barrel and through said slots, and a gravity biased pawl pivotally mounted on said pin and adapted to abut said internal shoulder on the opposite sides of said sleeve, said pawl having opposed quadrant shaped wings above the pivot pin adapted to cooperate with opposite sides of the opposed slots to center the pawl on the pin.

3. In a pen, a barrel, a slidably mounted sleeve therein carrying a writing point and containing an ink sac, a cap secured to said sleeve and having a skirt receiving the upper end of the latter, a spring within the barrel and biasing said sleeve upwardly, said sleeve having an internal shoulder therein adjacent the top of the barrel and oppositely disposed longitudinally extending slots above the shoulder, a pin extending diametrically of the barrel and through said slots, and a gravity biased pawl pivotally mounted on said pin and adapted to abut said internal shoulder on the opposite sides of said sleeve, said pawl having opposed quadrant shaped wings above the pivot pin adapted to cooperate with opposite sides of the opposed slots to center the pawl on the pin.

4. In a pen, a barrel, a slidably mounted inner sleeve therein carrying a Writing point and containing an ink sac, a cap secured to said inner sleeve and having a skirt longitudinally in registration with the barrel and receiving the upper end of said inner sleeve, an outer sleeve secured to said cap and encompassing the barrel in sliding relationship, said inner sleeve having an internal shoulder therein adjacent the top of the barrel and oppositely disposed longitudinally extending slots above the shoulder, a pin extending diametrically of the barrel through said slots, and a gravity biased pawl mounted on said pin and adapted to abut said internal shoulder on the opposite sides of said sleeve, said pawl having opposed quadrant shaped wings above the pivot pin adapted to cooperate with opposite sides or the opposed slots to center the pawl on the pin.

5. In a pen, a barrel, a slidably mounted sleeve therein carrying a writing point and containing an ink sac, a spring within the barrel and biasing said sleeve upwardly, said sleeve having an internal shoulder therein adjacent the top of the barrel and oppositely disposed longitudinally extending slots above the shoulder, a pin extending diametrically of the barrel and through said slots, and a gravity biased pawl pivotally mounted on said pin and adapted to abut said internal shoulder on the opposite sides of said sleeve, said pawl having opposed quadrant shaped wings above the pivot pin adapted to cooperate with opposite sides of the opposed slots to center the pawl on the pin.

DAVID KAHN.

KARL WEISSER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 378,897 Myers Mar. 6, 1888 2,398,548 Moore Apr. 16, 1946 2,400,679 Biro May 21, 1946 2,428,854 Randolph Oct. 14, 1947 2,444,004 Chesler June 22, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 52,733 Germang,T 1890 512 Great Britain Feb. 21, 1891 

